No, I didn't get attacked by a pervert. That would've been a better story. BUT I did get attacked.... sort of.
You see, I live in what Phoenix likes to call "Central Phoenix," which is a big word that describes downtown, uptown and midtown, all of which, are far from mimicking a real city feel. But Central Phoenix is the closest thing we've got to a real city. I live midtown. It's fun, I love it. There's lots of cute restaurants, thrift stores, coffee shops, antique shops, and random specialized shops. Ya know typical city stuff. There's also a lot of homeless people and crack heads. And I run at 5:30 AM, when it's still dark. So I carry pepper spray, just in case. (It's really a safe neighborhood but you've got to be safe, right?)
I dread the day I have to use, said, pepper spray.
So I'm on my way back from a 3.5 mile run. The sun is barely rising creating a beautiful "midnight blue" landscape... if you will. The birds are starting to chirp. The air is cool and refreshing. I'm listening to my ipod in runner's bliss; basking in the wonderfulness of not having knee pain.
And then I hear a faint noise through my music. It sounds like someone screaming. It sounds like someone screaming, "watch out." And as I peacefully glance behind me I am shocked at the site of a 20-pound, screeching, angry little mut running towards me with his fierce, little fangs shining out at me. Who would've thought such a small dog could look so evil.
And then I hear the most inhuman sound. It's a deep, loud but breathless sound, likened to the voice of Chubaka. Oh God, that voice is mine. I'm screaming "No." And then I wrip my head phones off and clear my throat and let out a few stern "NO's" while aiming my pepper spray into his eyes. But I do not pull the trigger. No, I just aim it at him with a steady hand, ho[ping he'll back off. Finally, the dog freezes; alarmed at my ability to discipline. His owner calls, and he meanders back into her arms.
"Is he aggressive?" I ask.
"Yes!" she replies, "sorry."
Hey, no problem [jerk].
HILARIOUS.
ReplyDeleteSeriously. I have a pitbull and the little toy poodles I run into are way meaner[I like that word] than my PIT?! CRAZY!!
Yikes! Good job on standing your ground - i love doggies, but i'm not sure what i'd do if one came charging after me!
ReplyDeleteYou have a steadier hand than I, I might have sprayed first apologized later.
ReplyDeleteDepending on where I run, I carry pepper spray too. There is a nasty small dog that loves to ambush me as I run past his house. Funny, there are several large dogs near our house that don't bother to chase me. Fortunately, I've never had to pepper spray him.
ReplyDelete